An introduction to 'star in the making' Ouasim Bouy - the Ajax teenager who joined Juventus on deadline day

The promising midfielder has opted against renewing his contract with the Godenzonen, and will now try to make a name for himself in Turin

COMMENTBy Stefan Coerts | Dutch Football Editor

After four relatively quiet weeks, Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta conducted plenty of business in the closing two days of the January transfer window. Players such as Luca Toni, Vincenzo Iaquinta, Michele Pazienza and Marco Motta all left Turin, while Simone Padoin and a number of youngsters found their way to Juventus Stadium.

One of the more exciting names on the list of proteges who joined Juventus this winter is Dutch midfielder Ouasim Bouy, who snubbed an offer from Ajax to extend his expiring contract in order to follow in the footsteps of compatriots such as Edwin van der Sar, Edgar Davids, Sergio de Windt and current first-team member, Eljero Elia.

Bouy was born and raised in Amsterdam and started his footballing career at local amateur side Zeeburgia, the same club where current Eredivisie stars such as Adam Maher, Luciano Narsingh and Lorenzo Burnet took their first steps on a football pitch. However, the midfielder's spell at Zeeburgia did not last long as he was snapped up by Ajax in the youngest age category.

FACTFILE | Ouasim Bouy

Age

Date of Birth

Position

Previous Clubs

18

June 18, 1993

Midfielder

Zeeburgia, Ajax

The Amsterdam native immediately impressed his coaches after joining the giants from his home town, and he steadily rose through the ranks of the illustrious Ajax youth academy. Bouy, who has been capped at Under-19 level for the Netherlands, signed his first contract with the Godenzonen shortly after turning 16 in the summer of 2009, and was captain of their U19 squad before Juve snapped him up.

However, unlike peers such as Davy Klaassen and Lesley de Sa, the 18-year-old Bouy had yet to make his full first-team debut at Ajax, prompting him to put talks about a contract extension with the reigning Eredivisie champions on hold back in 2011.

Bouy is a left-footed midfielder who has stood out for his goalscoring record in Ajax's various youth teams. Nevertheless, he is at his best in a more withdrawn role and reminds many observers of PSV star and Netherlands international Kevin Strootman. Bouy not only has excellent passing and shooting skills, but also has a tactical awareness that very few players of his age possess. Additionally, his positioning is superb, as is his timing and vision.

That said, the Netherlands U19 star is by no means a finished product just yet and still has plenty of room for improvement in all areas of his game. Bouy's biggest worry will probably be his lack of pace, although this has not stopped compatriot Rafael van der Vaart from becoming one of the most capped players in the history of Dutch football.

Juventus fans should not expect Bouy to make an immediate impact in Turin, though. The fact that he had yet to make his Eredivisie debut is already an indication that Bouy perhaps is not ready to make the step up at this point in his career. Additionally, fellow Dutchman Elia has had his fair share of problems adapting to life in Italy.

But, there is little doubt about Bouy's immense potential, and with the right guidance, Juventus could have a star in the making in their ranks.